OTO Journal

This podcast highlights a systematic review to determine safety of cochlear implantation in pediatric patients 12 months and younger. This research was published in the December 2022 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF)

The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis involving 269 studies suggest that cochlear implantation in patients 12 months and younger is safe with similar rates of complications to older cohorts.

Click here to read the full article

This podcast highlights original research published in the November official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

The objectives were to offer pragmatic, evidence-informed advice on administering corticosteroids in otolaryngology during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, considering therapeutic efficacy, potential adverse effects, susceptibility to COVID-19, and potential effects on efficacy of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. In conclusion, systemic corticosteroids (SCSs) reduce long-term morbidity in individuals with SSNHL and Bell's palsy, reduce acute laryngotracheal edema, and have benefit in perioperative management for some procedures. Topical or locally injected corticosteroids are preferable for most other otolaryngologic indications. SCSs have not shown long-term benefit for sinonasal disorders. SCSs are not a contraindication to vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that these vaccines are safe for immunocompromised patients. Click here to read the full article.

This podcast highlights original research published in the October official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

The objectives were to identify anatomic contributions to chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) necessitating revision endoscopic sinus surgery (RESS), and to create a clinical acronym to guide imaging review prior to RESS that addresses pertinent sites of disease and potential sites of surgical morbidity. In conclusion, the REVISIONS acronym was developed as a tool to distill the unique anatomic contributions of primary endoscopic sinus surgery failure into a format that can be easily incorporated in preoperative radiologic review and surgical planning to optimize outcomes and minimize complications. Click here to read the full article.

This podcast concludes the remarkable tenure of John H. Krouse, MD, PhD, MBA, editor in chief of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and OTO Open, the official journals of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF), and welcomes the incoming leadership of Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, as the new editor in chief.

In his final podcast, Dr. Krouse ushers in a new era as he discusses with Dr. Schmalbach her plans for the future of both AAO-HNSF journals.

Click here to read the article.

This podcast highlights original research published in the August official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

The objective was to evaluate nodule height-to-width ratio as a continuous variable predicting likelihood of thyroid malignancy.

In conclusion, our results support the association between greater height-to-width ratio and malignancy but suggest that a multilevel rather than binary variable improves prediction. The likelihood ratios at different intervals give a more nuanced view of how height-to-width ratio predicts malignancy. With continuing review of guidelines for thyroid nodule biopsy, it is important to consider these data for any point total attributed to shape.

Click here to read the article.

This podcast highlights original research published in the July official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

The objective was to determine the range of incidental mucosal changes in a general sinonasally asymptomatic population on radiology.

In conclusion, the prevalence of incidental mucosal changes in a general asymptomatic population on radiology needs to be considered when making a diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis.

Click here to read the article.

This podcast highlights original research published in the June official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

There has never been a time in our society when we have been as willing and open in our discussions around issues of racial and ethnic inequalities, discrimination, systemic racism, and socioeconomic disparities.

Within this dialogue on health inequalities, one soon comes to realize the strong interplay of bioethics, social justice, and systemic racism on health care and outcomes. Ethical questions pertaining to the rights of individual participants in research, criteria for inclusion and recruitment into studies, and the development of trusting relationships among communities, health systems, and governmental agencies continue to challenge us in achieving our goals of reducing health disparities and improving health care outcomes for our patients.

Click here to read the full issue.

This podcast highlights original research published in the May official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

Infants with posterior tongue-tie (PTT) can have substantial difficulty with breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. This study aimed to address the dearth in investigational objective data surrounding PTT release to better quantify the postoperative impacts of frenotomy for ankyloglossia.

In conclusion, when measured 10 days after frenotomy for PTT, infants improve feeding parameters using an objective bottle-feeding system. Similar improvements are seen with patient-reported outcomes when PTT is released. Posterior tongue-tie is a valid clinical concern, and surgical release can improve infant and maternal symptoms.

Click here to read the full article.

This podcast highlights original research published in the April official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

There is little research on the rate and risk factors for revision tonsillectomy after primary intracapsular tonsillectomy. Our study aimed to determine the revision rate following intracapsular tonsillectomy, identify patient characteristics that may increase the probability of revision surgery, and report the tonsillar hemorrhage rate after revision.

In conclusion, patients below age 4 years and patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease may be at increased risk of undergoing revision tonsillectomy after primary intracapsular tonsillectomy. These factors should be considered when selecting an intracapsular technique for primary tonsillectomy in pediatric patients.

Click here to read the full article.

This podcast highlights original research published in the March 2022 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hearing outcome of cochlear implantation in patients deafened by Ménière's disease.

In conclusion, cochlear implant in patients deafened by Ménière's disease significantly improves word recognition scores regardless of whether medical or surgical treatment is used prior to implantation. The potential improvement in word recognition scores decreases after age 70 years.

Click here to read the full article.